The History of British India.

MILLS, James.

Item Number: 100922

London: James Madden, 1840-1848.

First editions mixed with early editions of Mills’ classic history. Octavo, 9 volumes. Bound in full russet calf, gilt titles and tooling to the spine, black morocco spine labels, all edges gilt, inner dentelles, folding maps. Edited by Wilson with Mill’s set, edited by Wilson, comprising the first six volumes, published 1840, and Wilson’s continuation complete in 3 volumes, first printings, 1845, 1846, and 1848. An exceptional set.

James Mill began his History of British India in 1806, expecting it to take him about three years, but its completion proved to take instead twelve years, with three substantial volumes at last being published early in 1817. The work was immediately successful among British imperialists and secured for Mill for the first time a degree of prosperity. It led, with the support of David Ricardo and Joseph Hume, to Mill's appointment in 1819 in United Kingdom as assistant (later chief) examiner of correspondence at the imperial East India Company at an annual salary of £800. By 1836, when he died, this income had become £2,000. Mill's biographer Bruce Mazlish takes a practical view of Mill's purpose in beginning the History, stating By 1802, unable to find a parish and disillusioned with a religious career, he "emigrated" to England. There he quickly obtained a position as editor and writer, married, and began to raise a family. To secure his position, he began to write a great work, The History of British India, in 1806, the same year as his first-born, John Stuart, arrived on the scene... James finally finished The History of British India, and on the basis of it secured the post of an examiner at the imperial East India Company, rising to the top in a few years.